K-Ras(G12C) inhibitor 6 is an irreversible inhibitor of oncogenic K-Ras(G12C),[1] subverting the native nucleotide preference to favour GDP over GTP. Its family of inhibitors allosterically control GTP affinity and effector interactions by fitting inside a "pocket", or binding site, of mutant K-Ras. It is the most frequently mutated oncogene.[2]
Investigators and pathologists previously thought that K-Ras is undruggable.[3] However, Kevan M. Shokat and his colleagues, in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) at the University of California, recently reported a novel discovery of "Achilles heel" on K-RAs, and believed that it has real translational implications for patients with K-RAs mutation.
In recent years, significant research efforts have focused on finding effective inhibitors for the Kras-G12C mutation. For instance, sotorasib (Lumakras) became the first FDA-approved targeted therapy for the treatment of patients with NSCLC harboring the Kras-G12C mutation in 2021.[4] Adagrasib (MRTX849) is another inhibitor that has shown promising results in clinical trials.[5]